Horsey, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR29 4EE
National Trust - Horsey Windpump
Industrial heritage
Place photograph
7.2
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Paid
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.2A restored Broadland windpump stands beside Horsey Mere, with a viewing point looking across the water and surrounding low-lying landscape.
Horsey Windpump brings Norfolk’s working-waterland character into view: a striking historic pump beside the mere, with Broadland scenery from its accessible viewing point and a higher panorama for those able to climb its steep stairs. The nearby beach walk is currently affected by a path closure, so check before planning a longer outing.
Atmospheric · Big-sky · Historic
Find your way
Open mapHorsey, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR29 4EE
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The experience
Allow around 1–2 hours to explore the windpump and its setting. See the ground-floor interpretation and film, take the accessible path to the Horsey Mere viewing point, and climb the 61 steep steps if you are comfortable doing so. The National Trust’s beach-walk page reports a temporary closure on the permissive path towards Horsey Gap, so do not assume that route is available.
Things to do
Explore the windpump’s ground floor
See the information about the windpump in large print and watch the film showing the upper levels and views from the top.
Allow time for a short visit
Look across Horsey Mere
Follow the accessible path from the car park to the viewing point overlooking the mere.
Climb the windpump
The top offers panoramic views, but access involves 61 steep steps. The ground floor is the only part accessible to wheelchair users.
Walk towards Horsey Gap only if the path has reopened
The National Trust describes a walk through grazing marshes and dunes to the beach, with a chance of seeing grey seals. Its current page says the permissive path across the fields opposite the windpump is temporarily closed; check its status before planning this walk.
2 hours when available
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour
Quick visit: windpump and mere viewpoint
- 01
Check the National Trust opening information before travelling.
- 02
Explore the accessible ground floor and its windpump information and film.
- 03
Follow the accessible path to the viewing point overlooking Horsey Mere.
Half day · About 2–3 hours
Make a half day of Horsey
- 01
Visit the windpump and its ground-floor interpretation.
- 02
Take the accessible path to the Horsey Mere viewing point.
- 03
If you can manage 61 steep steps, climb to the top for the panoramic view.
- 04
Consider the National Trust beach walk only after checking whether the permissive path closure has been lifted.
Verified history
The supplied Google description says the windpump was built in 1912 on the foundation of an older mill. Tripadvisor’s supplied account says it was struck by lightning in 1943, stood silent for more than 75 years, and reopened after restoration in 2019. These historical details come from different supplied sources; consult the National Trust for its current interpretation on site.
Hidden details
The accessible route reaches a mere viewpoint — The wheelchair-accessible path does not stop at the windpump: it continues to a viewing point overlooking Horsey Mere.
A film offers a view of the upper levels — If the 61 steep steps are not suitable, the ground-floor film shows the upper levels and views from the top.
When to go
April · May · June · July · August · September · October · Check the current opening calendar. The car park is listed as open dawn to dusk, but windpump access has separate opening times.
The National Trust notes that marsh paths on the beach walk can become muddy and wet outside summer. Its café and second-hand bookshop are listed as open daily April–October; check current arrangements.
The low-lying marsh route can be muddy and wet outside summer. Check weather and current path status before attempting the beach walk.
The route
- surface
- Grassy paths and tracks; marshes can be muddy and wet outside summer
- distance
- 3 miles (4.8 km) for the National Trust beach-walk route
- duration
- 2 hours
- difficulty
- Moderate
- route shape
- Out and back to the beach and back, as described by the National Trust
- start point
- National Trust car park, Horsey Windpump (TG456223)
- parking start
- National Trust car park at Horsey Windpump; the permissive path across the fields opposite the windpump is currently closed, affecting the described route. Check before setting out.
- Low-lying grazing marshes
- Sand dunes
- A narrow sandy beach
- Possibility of seeing grey seals
What to look for
Notice the windpump’s position beside Horsey Mere and the contrast between the ground-floor interpretation and the views shown in the windpump film. From the accessible viewing point, look across the mere and surrounding Broadland landscape.
The story
Industrial heritage; a windpump built in 1912 on the foundation of an older mill.
Best time to go
Check current opening times before visiting. The National Trust describes the beach walk as muddy and wet outside summer; its route page also notes the permissive path is temporarily closed.
Check the National Trust’s current opening calendar before setting out. For the beach walk, the National Trust notes that marsh paths can be muddy and wet outside summer; that route is currently affected by a temporary closure.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
History lovers · Photographers · Families · Walkers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 11am-3pm
- Tuesday: 11am-3pm
- Wednesday: 11am-3pm
- Thursday: 11am-3pm
- Friday: Closed
- Saturday: 11am-3pm
- Sunday: 11am-3pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
National Trust visitor site. The windpump has paid admission; car-park charges apply to non-members. Check current opening times and access arrangements before travelling. The permissive path towards Horsey Gap is currently closed.
Check before visiting
Parking
On-site car park, open dawn to dusk. Free for National Trust members; non-member prices listed as £4 for three hours, £6 all day and £8 for campervans. Check current charges.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Toilets, including an accessible toilet, are listed as open 9am until dusk. Check current arrangements.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
On-site café listed as open daily April–October; check current opening.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs are welcome around the site on leads; they are not allowed inside the windpump except assistance dogs. On the beach-walk route, keep dogs on leads or under close control, particularly around livestock. Check current signs.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The car park-to-windpump path is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs and continues to a viewing point overlooking Horsey Mere. Only the windpump ground floor is wheelchair accessible; reaching the top involves 61 steep steps. Accessible parking and toilet are listed.
Cost
Paid
Water
Mere
Gallery
Place photographs
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